Latest California Healthline Stories
Tens of Thousands of Bay Area Rapid Transit Riders Potentially Exposed to Measles
Public health officials say that tens of thousands of individuals who recently used San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit system might have been exposed to measles. Officials say a Bay Area resident with the disease commuted to work on a BART train for three days while contagious. Reuters.
HHS Canceling Exchange Plans for 200K Over Unverified Legal Status
HHS at the end of the month plans to cancel coverage for about 200,000 individuals who signed up for health plans in the Affordable Care Act’s first open enrollment period but failed to provide sufficient documentation of their immigration or citizenship statuses. An additional 112,000 individuals in September 2014 had their coverage terminated because they did not respond to letters requesting residency documentation. Wall Street Journal, USA Today.
Sign-Ups Rise as End of ACA’s Second Open Enrollment Period Nears
Federal officials say that Affordable Care Act exchange enrollment is ramping up ahead of the end of the second open enrollment period on Feb 15. The federal exchange had 275,676 enrollments last week, up from an average of about 100,000 weekly. In addition, several Southern states have seen an 80% increase in exchange enrollment. Modern Healthcare et al.
Calif. Bill Seeks To Create Regulations for Medical Marijuana Industry
California lawmakers are considering a bill that aims to enact a statewide regulatory framework over the medical marijuana industry. Under the bill, regulatory authority would be split between state and local authorities. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Calif. Suit Seeks To Allow Assisted Suicide for Terminally Ill Patients
Yesterday, a cancer patient and five doctors in California filed a lawsuit that challenges a state ban on assisted suicide, arguing that physician-assisted death for patients with terminal illnesses is not suicide. The suit seeks to exempt doctors from a state ban on assisted suicide for such patients. AP/New York Times et al.
Editorial Praises Patient Privacy Protections in Blood and DNA Sample Storage Bill
An Orange County Register editorial argues that “it is welcome news that [Assembly member] Mike Gatto has introduced a bill to protect the privacy of Californians’ blood and DNA samples taken at birth.” It notes that “California is one of seven states that retain samples — without parental consent — for later research,” but AB 170 would strengthen parental notification requirements and “require the state to honor the request of a parent or guardian to destroy their child’s blood sample.” The editorial concludes, “AB 170 is a commonsense step toward protecting the privacy of those with concerns who feel otherwise.” Orange County Register.
Stanford Launches Apple HealthKit-Enabled Mobile App
This week, Stanford Health Care launched its Apple HealthKit-enabled mobile application for iOS phones. The app, called MyHealth, allows patients to manage prescriptions, review test results and medical bills, and schedule appointments. In addition, it allows patients to upload vital signs that then are securely added to the patients’ medical records. MobiHealthNews.
High Levels of Benzene in Well Water Prompt Health Concerns in California
The results of hundreds of fracking waste water tests showed human carcinogen benzene levels were on average 700 times higher than federal standards, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of California data. The high levels of benzene have prompted health concerns in California where state oil and gas regulators for years have inadvertently allowed fracking flowback water to be injected into aquifers for drinking water. Los Angeles Times.
DPH Fines 10 California Hospitals $700K for Adverse Events
Yesterday, the California Department of Public Health announced that it has fined 10 hospitals a total of $700,000 for various adverse events, several of which led to patient deaths. The fines ranged from $50,000 to $100,000 per hospital. Los Angeles Daily News, Payers & Providers.
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Prime Agree To Drop Lawsuits and Go Through Arbitration
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Prime Healthcare Services have agreed to drop lawsuits that they filed against each other over allegations of breach of contract, unfair competition and other issues. The companies say they will go through confidential, binding arbitration. Modern Healthcare.